As part of the City’s Zero Waste Philosophy and to promote the quality of municipal water, the new City Hall opened officially today as our first ”bottled water free” facility – as promised.
What does this mean? It means bottled water will not be made available in the facility. Drinking fountains encourage visitors and employees to refill water bottles to reduce waste. New staff will receive an orientation on our zero waste philosopy. CUPE has also provided its members with a stainless steel water canister to promote the safety and quality of our municipal water supply. As we settle into our facility, signage will be posted to educate visitors on our zero waste goals.
The point is not to ostracize people for using bottled water but to encourage the use of municipal water. Research shows over and over again, you don’t change behaviours by making people feel bad. You change behaviours by reducing or removing barriers, and helping people to make different choices. Our staff have done an excellent job in making municipal water accessible at the new City Hall.
Filed under: Healthy Environment
Love the graphic and the initiative. The glass reminds me it mixes well with scotch too. Although Guelph water leaves behind a precipitate at the bottom of the glass, it reminds you of the healthy stuff in our water. One of my eldest brother’s favourite poems titled Ode to an Ice Cube: “How cunningly it lies behind and lingers underneath. Until at once you tilt your glass, it smacks you in the teeth.”